The Trenton Park Board voted at a special meeting on May 14th to raise pay for pool staff. It was also announced the Trenton Family Aquatic Center’s target opening date is May 29th. The pool manager pay will be $12 per hour, and the assistant manager pay will be $10.25 per hour. Lifeguards will be […]
Tag: needs
Missouri leads 22 state coalition defending Arkansas’ down syndrome abortion law
A coalition of 22 states, led by Missouri and Attorney General, Eric Schmitt, filed an amicus brief in support of an Arkansas law that would prohibit abortions solely based on a prenatal Down Syndrome diagnosis. Leslie Rutledge v. Little Rock Planning Services and can be found at this link. “Those with Down Syndrome bring […]
Grundy R-5 Board of Education approves bids for fuel, bread, milk and propane
The Grundy R-5 Board of Education approved various bids on May 12th. One was for a proposal from Noah Swartzentruber to construct a bus barn at an estimated price of $96,000. Other bids approved were from MFA for propane at $1.399 per gallon and diesel at $2.29 per gallon, as well as Galt Hometown Grocery […]
Gifted Group to host Special Needs Prom on May 28
The GIfted Group ( Special Needs Individuals of Grundy County) will host a Special Needs Prom on May 28, 2021, from 6:30-8:30 at the Black Silo in Trenton, Missouri. A meal of pork loin, potatoes, baked beans, roll, and cake will be provided. KJams DJ services will provide the music. All individuals with special needs […]
Annualization of salaries within the school district tops discussion at Trenton R-9 Board of Education meeting
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday, May 11, discussed non-certified payroll annualization with district Bookkeeper Mona Loyd and Administrative Assistant Susan Leeper. Loyd started by saying she had been willing to try annualization at the time the board originally voted to implement it for non-certified staff. She did not have the forethought to […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature votes to “pump up” the state’s gas tax
The Missouri Legislature has passed a proposal that would boost the state’s gas and diesel tax for the first time in about 25 years. The state House of Representatives voted Tuesday night 104-52 in favor of increasing the user fee by 12.5 total cents over five years. The plan would also give most drivers a […]
Abortion fight continues on Missouri Medicaid provider taxes
An attempt to renew a law essential to financing Missouri’s Medicaid program drew fire late Monday from a state Senator who wants to bar Planned Parenthood from participating in the program and an anti-abortion group seeking to block access to contraceptives. A renewal of the taxes that provide more than $2 billion annually for Medicaid was added […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature passes private schooling tax credit bill
The Missouri Legislature has passed a private schooling tax credit bill. The measure would let donors provide scholarships to students to attend a private Missouri K-12 school. In return, they would get state tax credits. Senator Andrew Koenig of eastern Missouri’s Manchester carried the House bill that would prioritize special needs students and those who […]
Public comment period opens on Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
A draft 2022-2026 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program that focuses on taking care of the state’s existing transportation system was presented today to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. A 30-day public review and comment period began on Wednesday, May 5) Missouri Department of Transportation Planning Director Eric Curtit told commissioners the draft STIP includes 1,417 […]
Groups say slate of school bills would undermine public education
Advocates for public schools are urging the Missouri Legislature to bolster funding for public education rather than shift resources towards charter schools and school voucher programs. A bill pending in the House would provide tax credits for paying for private school tuition. Another would change school funding formulas to give more resources to charter schools, specifically […]
Trenton Park Board members review staffing needs at swimming pool
The Trenton Park Board discussed pool staffing at a meeting on Wednesday, May 5th. Board President Duane Helmandollar reported six applications have been submitted for lifeguards this season for the Trenton Family Aquatic Center. Park Superintendent David Shockley announced there were three applications for assistant manager, and Taylor Richman has been hired as pool manager. […]
Bipartisan coalition of lawmakers hope to fund free tampons, pads in Missouri prisons
(Missouri Independence) – In Missouri, incarcerated women’s access to feminine hygiene products depends on where they’re housed. Some are forced to pay to buy tampons and pads to meet their needs, while others are provided with such low-quality products they end up having to make their own. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers hopes to change that […]
Audio: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Looks to reduce teacher shortage
Missouri is facing a teacher shortage, and for Teacher Appreciation Week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is working to inspire more high school and college students to consider becoming educators. Halley Russell a government teacher at Jackson High School, said the shortage is nothing new but is getting more attention with the […]
Evergy to shutter Kansas coal plant, speed transition to renewable energy
(Missouri Independent) – Evergy, an electric supplier to about 600,000 customers in western Missouri, will retire its coal power plant in Lawrence, Kansas, by the end of 2023, the company announced on Friday. The utility revealed its plan to regulators in a filing with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The “integrated resource plan” lays out Evergy’s next […]
MOST, Missouri’s 529 education plan, reaches major milestone
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick today announced that MOST, Missouri’s 529 Education Plan, has reached more than $4 billion in assets under management, a major milestone for the state’s 529 plan. “As Treasurer, one of my most important jobs is helping Missourians prepare for their financial future,” Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “Reaching $4 billion in […]
Missouri KidsFirst announces recipients of 2021 “Standing with Children” awards
Missouri KidsFirst presented the 2021 Standing with Children Awards at a virtual event hosted by the organization at 12:00 PM on Monday, April 26, 2021. The 2021 recipients of the Standing with Children Awards are Laura Bauer and Judy Thomas, investigative reporters with the Kansas City Star, Dr. Linda Shaw, child abuse pediatrician with SSM […]
Missouri lawmakers urged to learn from states that have expanded Medicaid
As the state Senate debates Missouri’s budget for next year, groups are urging lawmakers to learn from the 38 states that have expanded their Medicaid programs. The budget passed by the Missouri House leaves out the $130 million needed to fund expansion. The remainder of the costs would be covered by the federal government. Joan Alker, executive director […]
NCMC Board of Trustees approve renewal of health insurance, presented report from Faculty Senate Negotiations Committee
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees heard a report from the Faculty Senate Negotiations Committee on April 27th. History and Spanish Faculty Member Maryellen Harman and Psychology Faculty Member Lindsay Oram presented a proposal for a faculty salary schedule for 2021-2022. The proposal includes adding $1,000 to the salary base and continuing to […]
Trenton Building and Nuisance Board accept resignation from board; address light agenda
At the beginning of Monday night’s meeting of the Trenton Building and Nuisance Board, Mayor Linda Crooks announced Danny Matthews was resigning from the board. Matthews was present for his final meeting, and Mayor Crooks thanked him for his service on the board. The Building and Nuisance Board voted to advance 604 Linn Street to […]
“Learn 2 Paddle” classes on paddling a kayak to be offered at Crowder State Park
“Learn 2 Paddle” kayaking classes will be offered at selected state parks this summer, including on two different dates at Crowder State Park west of Trenton. The kayak program is for anyone who wants to experience kayaking but is not sure where to start. It is also designed for those who want to get out […]